Focus Graphite Initiates Joint Development with Forge Nano to Evaluate Advanced Coating Technology for Lac Knife Graphite Program to generate performance data targeting improved battery life, fast charging capability, and durability in
Focus Graphite Initiates Joint Development
with Forge Nano to Evaluate Advanced
Coating Technology for Lac Knife Graphite
Program to generate performance data targeting improved
battery life, fast charging capability, and durability in
demanding dual-use applications
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 9, 2026) -
Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB:
FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0)
("
Focus
" or the "
Company
"), a Canadian developer of high-grade flake
graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence, and industrial applications, is
pleased to announce that it has entered into a Joint Product Development Agreement ("
JPDA
") with
Forge Nano Inc. ("
Forge Nano
"), a leading U.S. based semiconductor equipment and advanced
materials company pioneering Atomic Layer Deposition ("
ALD
") technology for AI-era chip
manufacturing and defense battery applications, to evaluate ALD coating technology on natural graphite
sourced from the Company's Lac Knife project ("
Lac Knife
" or the "
Project
") in Quebec.
This focused development program is designed to generate near-term performance data on ALD-
coated natural graphite, with results expected to inform future scale-up, customer engagement,
commercial off-takes, and funding pathways. The work targets improved cycle life, fast charging
performance, and durability under demanding operating conditions, areas that are becoming
increasingly important across battery, industrial, and defence applications.
Key Highlights
Joint product development program with Forge Nano to evaluate ALD-coated natural graphite
Approximately 2 kilograms of Lac Knife graphite to be processed and evaluated across multiple
coating conditions
Program designed to generate performance data for battery applications, including improving
cycle life, fast charging capability, and material stability
Results to support future pilot programs, funding applications, scale-up decisions, and downstream
engagement
Program Overview and Strategic Rationale
The JPDA establishes a structured proof-of-concept program to evaluate ALD coating on Focus
Graphite's high-grade natural graphite.
Under the agreement, Focus will supply uncoated graphite from Lac Knife, and Forge Nano will perform
coating, analytical testing, and electrochemical evaluation.
The objective is to determine whether ALD can serve as a viable alternative to conventional pitch
coating, which remains the industry standard but is energy intensive and dependent on fossil fuel inputs.
In addition to potential cost and environmental considerations, the program is designed to evaluate
performance under real-world conditions. Modern battery systems are increasingly required to operate
under fast charging, repeated cycling, and variable temperature environments, all of which can
accelerate material degradation. Surface-level engineering, where many of these failure mechanisms
originate, is emerging as a key lever to improve performance.
"Performance gains in next-generation batteries are increasingly unlocked at the surface level," said
Jason Latkowcer, VP Corporate Development at Focus Graphite. "By combining Lac Knife's high-grade
graphite with Forge Nano's atomic layer deposition platform, we are evaluating how atomic-scale
coatings can improve battery life, charging performance, and durability. This collaboration is a step
toward positioning this material for higher-performance roles within North American energy and defence
supply chains."
Why Forge Nano
Forge Nano brings a differentiated platform based on Atomic Armor™ ALD, a precision coating
process that modifies materials at the atomic scale to enhance performance at the surface level.
This approach enables highly uniform coatings that can improve cycle life, enhance rate capability, and
increase material stability under demanding conditions. These attributes are increasingly important
across battery, industrial, and defence applications where reliability, performance consistency, and
energy efficiency are critical.
Forge Nano's broader platform also includes its subsidiary, Forge Battery, which is advancing a 3 GWh
per year U.S.-based lithium-ion manufacturing facility supported by over US $100 million in Department
of Energy funding. The facility is focused on producing high-performance, domestically manufactured
battery cells for defence and niche mobility markets, further reinforcing the relevance of advanced
material technologies within North American supply chains.
By working with Forge Nano at this stage, Focus Graphite is evaluating whether these performance
enhancements can be achieved using natural graphite from Lac Knife, supporting the development of
higher-value graphite products aligned with evolving market requirements.
Expected Outcomes and Next Steps
The primary deliverable from this phase is a comprehensive data package that will support:
Follow-on pilot-scale development programs
Engagement with battery manufacturers and downstream partners
Applications for non-dilutive funding and strategic support
This initial phase is intended to establish a technical and economic basis for advancement toward
kilogram-scale production and future pilot programs, subject to successful results.
If validated, future development may include scaling the process using Forge Nano's manufacturing
systems, increased graphite supply, and expanded battery validation, including application-specific
testing.
As previously announced on December 8, 2025, the Company formalized a funding agreement of up to
$14,062,500 in non-repayable contributions under NRCan's Global Partnerships Initiative ("
GPI
"). The
GPI funding is specifically intended to support the development and demonstration of electro-thermal
purification technology in Canada. Insights generated from this program are expected to inform
downstream processing opportunities, including coating and material enhancement processes, which
may be evaluated for integration into future development stages, subject to successful results.
Qualified Person
The technical content disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce,
PE, President of Brasil Insight Capital LLC., a consultant to the Company, and a qualified person as
defined under National Instrument NI-43-101.
About Forge Nano Inc.
Forge Nano is a leading U.S. based semiconductor equipment and advanced materials company
pioneering Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technology for AI-era chip manufacturing and defense battery
applications via its platform technology, Atomic Armor. Atomic Armor is a scalable, adaptable nano-
scale coating system that strengthens America's most critical systems - at the atomic level. The superior
surface coatings produced by our Atomic Armor™ process allow our partners to unlock peak
performance. Learn more at
https://www.forgenano.com
.
About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned
world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands
as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed
feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced
materials industries.
Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and
highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining – we are
pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies,
including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery
performance and efficiency.
Our commitment to innovation ensures an eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is
at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government
agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North
American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals –
reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.
For more information on Focus Graphite Inc., please visit
http://www.focusgraphite.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/
X:
https://x.com/focusgraphite
Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
+1 (613) 612-6060
Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These
statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend,"
"expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," and similar expressions, as well as statements
relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and
are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such
future events.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things,
the anticipated scope, timing and completion of the Joint Product Development Agreement with Forge
Nano; the expected processing and evaluation of Lac Knife graphite using Atomic Layer Deposition
("ALD") coating technology; the generation and timing of performance data related to cycle life, fast
charging capability, and material durability; the potential for ALD coating to serve as a viable
alternative to conventional coating methods; the use of program results to support future pilot-scale
development, scale-up decisions, funding applications, and engagement with downstream partners;
and the Company's plans and objectives for advancing value-added graphite products and
downstream processing opportunities.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors
that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks
related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to
raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral
exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public
disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.
The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the
Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of
new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because
of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/291705